“The fact that it exists at all is intolerable. Whether or not it’s pervasive is another question. The fact that it exists at all is wrong.”

Calgary MLA Sandra Jansen announced her withdrawal from the 2016 Progressive Conservative leadership race Tuesday, citing unprecedented harassment related to her stance on issues including women’s reproductive rights and an alleged a “hostile takeover” on the part of the PC party.

An email attributed to Kenney said he was “disappointed” the two women were withdrawing and extended his “best wishes” Tuesday night.

“I hope that the thresholds for entering the PC leadership race, including $50,000 and 500 nomination signatures from across the province, are not a hindrance to the entry of candidates,” said the statement on Kenney’s behalf.

But Kennedy-Glans said signatures and money weren’t factors in her decision.

“We have 800 signatures and we only need 500 and we’ve got a great fundraising base—I’m not worried about that,” she said. “My worry was taking a team of people who wanted to participate in centrist politics into a room that is fully occupied by a farther-right conservative movement.”